Sparks clinch home-court advantage in first round of WNBA playoffs

Candace Parker had 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Sparks to a 101-76 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night at Staples Center to clinch home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

The Sparks (23-10), who secured second place in the Western Conference, have won nine in a row at home and are 15-1 on their court this season.

"Home court is huge," Alana Beard said. "We're 15-1 at home and 8-9 on the road. You can do the calculations and understand that this is where we want to be.

"I'm excited about this (first-round) series. I think it's going to be a competitive series, and having home-court advantage is huge for us."

The Sparks conclude the regular season Thursday against first-place Minnesota.

Parker had a double-double by the third quarter and had four blocks. Beard scored 22 points, one point shy of her season high, with six steals and Kristi Toliver added 17.

The Sparks led wire to wire and by double digits over the final 15 minutes.

The Mercury (7-25) dropped their fifth consecutive game despite getting two starters back. DeWanna Bonner, second in the WNBA with 20.9 points per game, returned from a sore back that kept her out for two games and led Phoenix with 23 points and six rebounds.

Candice Dupree made her first appearance since she had left knee surgery on July 24. Dupree, whose 14.8 points per game is second on the Mercury, started and had six points on 3-for-4 shooting in almost 15 minutes.

"Great crowd, great team," Bonner said of the Sparks. "They have a lot of confidence. Anybody can score on any given night."

Parker didn't put too much into securing home court.

"I don't think you can ever breathe easy in the playoffs," said Parker, whose 17th double-double tied Tina Charles of Connecticut for the most in the league.